Measuring device for tea, coffee, and the like



Oct. 9, 1951 R CHESTER 2,570,521

MEASURING DEVICE FOR TEA, COFFEE, AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 7, 1946 Patented Oct. 9, 1 951 UNITE-l), sr i E s PATENT OFFICE MEASURING DEVICE FOR TEA, COFFEE, THE LIKE s Frank Chester, Santa Monica, Calif.

" "Ap'plicationDecember '7, 1946, Serial No. 714,723

slidable cover which isso constructed as to resist backward bending, and further so as to seat firmly upon the rim of the receptacle when the cover is shifted thereover.

Still another important object of this invention is to provide a cover for a device of this class, which is conca-veat its inner-side for the purpose of strengthening the same,-and also to provide space for the reasonable expansion or swelling of the coffee, tea, or other contents, when within the receptacle. r

A further important object. ofthis invention is to provide a sanitary article of this. class, that is, one which maybe easily and quickly cleaned by wholly removing the cover from one end of the receptacle, or from the handle thereof.

Another'important object ofthis invention is to provide a device of this classwhich is particularly sim le and economical of construction, simpleto operate, and which will notreadily getoutof order. Y i

With these and other objects in view, as will appear hereinafter, I have devised a means for measuring and facilitating infusion of tea, coffee,

and the like, and a means or device of this class having certain novel features-of construction,

combination, and arrangement-ofparts and portions, as will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the characters of reference thereon, which form a part of this application, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of my measuring and holding device in a preferred form, the dotted lines showing one of the members shifted to a partly withdrawn position;

Fig. 2 is a side or edge view thereof;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view thereof, taken through 33 of Fig. 1, showing the cover in a closed position over the receptacle;

Fig. 4 is a similar fragmentary sectional view thereof, but showing the cover in a retracted position;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view thereof, taken through 5-5 of Fig. l; and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view thereof, taken through 6-6 of Fig. 3.

The device shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is made of two sheet metal stampings. One member, which 2 Claims. (Cl. 99323) will be hereinafter referred to as the receptacle I is substantially in the form of a deep spoon but is provided with small perforations l The large or blunt end of thespoon-shaped receptacle has a long flat handle 2, which is narrower than the receptacle and is longitudinally ribbed at its middle portion, as shown in Figs. 1 and 6, for the purpose of strength and for guiding the cover 3. The rib, designated 2 is offset upwardly at the median portion of the handle, and is relatively wide, as shown.

subjected to moisture, or when otherwise treated The peripheral portion of the receptacle has a bead or narrow flange l", which is in the same plane and merges in gradual curves with the 0pposite edges of the handle, as shown in Fig. l.

The cover 3, which preferably also has perforations, designated 3 has a surrounding bead or flange 3 which conforms to and is adapted to slide upon the bead l of the receptacle, for shifting the cover to either a closed position directly over the receptacle or to an open retracted position clear of the receptacle.

The cover is also generally inverted spoonshaped and has at its blunt end a handle 4, .conforming substantially in cross-section to that of the handle 2 thereunder. The lateral edges of the handle 4 are crimped around the lateral edges of the handle 2, the crimped-over portions forming flanges 4 engaging the under sides of the lateral portions of the handle 2.

The middle portion of the cover may be defined as concave orraised at itsunder side, providing clearance or an enlargement for the expansion or swelling of the contents ofthe receptacle when the contents are steeped in hot water, during the preparation of tea in a cup.

The raised portion or central rib 4 of the handle 4 merges with the upwardly offset or raised portion of the cover, providing such reinforcing for the cover which will prevent backward bending of the same about the handle.

The upper surface of the raised portion or rib 4 is roughened or knurled by transverse serrations 4 to provide a thumb hold for facilitating withdrawal of the cover rearwardly along the handle 4 so as to open the receptacle, as shown in Fig. 4.

At the intersection of the forward end of the central rib 2 of the handle 2 and the rearward curved portion of the bowl-like receptacle l, the metal is indented from the under side, this indented portion providing, in effect, a transverse raised bead. The bead provides a stop for resisting rearward movement of the cover, the inner side of the forward rim portion 3 of the spoon-shaped cover engaging the head, as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

Forward movement of the cover along the receptacle is preferably limited by the engagement of the forward ends of the crimped over portions or flanges 4 of the handle 4 of the cover member with the curved rearward portions of the receptacle member I, referred to above. f A

The receptacle and cover elements are stamped from sheet metal preferably, although not necessarily, of stainless character, the dies in which these elements are formed being made with great precision so that when the cover 3 is slidinto place on the handle 2 the flanges l snugly embrace the lateral edges of the handle. By this provision, the bottom surface of the peripheral portion of the cover 3 is retained against the upper surface of the bead l of the receptacle I. It has been explained that the rearward sliding movement of the cover 3 to open position is limited by the bead 2 However, due to, the inherent resiliency of the metal of the cover 3, the latter is adapted to flex upwardly,

'when the handle is forced rearwardly, so as to permit the forward end of the cover 3 to ride over the bead 2" By this provision, it is possible to withdraw the cover 3 entirely from the handle 2 when it is desired to thoroughly clean the two elements of the device.

I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the, exact details of construction shown and described, for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Iclaim:

1. A device of the class described comprising a substantially spoon-shaped perforated receptacle having a laterally projecting peripheral flange, a handle portion of uniform width throughout the length thereof projecting from said receptacle in the plane of said flange, a longitudinally disposed reinforcing guide rib on said handle, one extremity of said rib extending downwardly into said receptacle, the opposed extremity of said rib terminating short of the. outer extremity of said handle, a cover member of inverted spoon-shape having a laterally projecting peripheral flange complementary to said first-mentioned flange and adapted to rest upon said flange of said receptacle, a lateral extension on said cover member overlying said handle portion and provided with downwardly and inwardly extending flanges embracing the longitudinal edges of said handle portion and mounting said cover member for sliding movement relative to said receptacle from a first position wherein the cover member closes said receptacle to a second position wherein the cover member is disposed laterally of said receptacle to open the same, said cover member in r s li e a e mall fle ed downwardly with the flange thereof engaging the'flange of 7 said receptacle, a longitudinally disposed upstruck rib on said lateral extension engaging the reinforcing rib. of'said handle portion and guiding the movement of said cover member on said handle member, and an upstruck stop bead on said handle portion located adjacent the juncture thereof with said receptacle and engageable by said cover member when the latter is slid to open position to resist complete withdrawal of the cover member from said handle member, said cover member being yieldably upwardly to ride over said stop bead and permit sliding movement of said cover member beyond said open position in response to a longitudinal force ofsuflicient magnitude applied thereto to allow complete separation of said cover member and handle portion.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which the upper surface of the longitudinally disposed upstri cl; rib on the lateral extension of the cover member is provided with finger engaging ridges to assist in'the sliding movement of said cover member.

FRANK R. CHESTER.

REFERENCES CITED The qllqwin eferenee are 0.1 ecerrd in t file this Qatar 

